from Lane in Hayward, WI:
#503
Comparing operational costs of geothermal heating and cooling vs conventional heating and cooling systems, and specifically addressing the issue of seasonal use (for a lake home) vs. year round use?
Geothermal systems are notably less expensive to operate.
Geothermal systems are significantly less expensive to operate than a conventional forced air system. We have some data to suggest that they are up to 70 percent less expensive to operate. The savings, as a percentage, would be about the same for a primary residence or a vacation home. However the pay dollar savings and payback can be significantly different. In most cases the installation cost is about the same for the primary residence and the vacation home, but because the vacation home is used half as often, the savings are not as significant and the system will take twice as long to pay back.
Published Thursday, October 08, 2009